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Original poster

Croup , do I take dd to the docs?

22 replies

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:09

I'm pretty sure its Croup. Hoarse voice, runny nose, seal bark cough last night.

She seems better this morning. What would they do?

I'm sort of ambarrased to go as we go to the doctors SO MUCH. I know I shouldn't be but I'd hate them to think I was
waiting their time.

We go for geniune reasons though. In the last two weeks I've taken dd for fractured wrist then very bad virus and she was hospitalised for 3 days. Ds had bad asthma and a virus with sticky eyes, needed drops.

Don't want to leave it in case its bad again tonight but dont want to go if they can't do anything.

OP posts:

flatmouse · 03/04/2007 13:11

I took DD when she had croup - and left again quite quickly - there's nothing they can do.

But then i hadn't experienced croup before and it sounded like a rattly chest - so at least i knew her chest was clear following Dr visit.

Does sound like it tho - especially if better during day.

DumbledoresGirl · 03/04/2007 13:12

Croup often only lasts one night IME so you might be over the worst of it.

They will only give you advice re getting dd into a steamy room or taking her out into the cold air etc - both things help when the croup is at its worst.

But if you want reassurance then take her. Who counts how many times you have been? And anyway, what do we pay our taxes for? I know how you feel as I have sometimes felt I should have a regular weekly appt for the doctor, I have taken my children for so many things, but it won't always be like this. If you can realise that this is your time for going to the GP frequently and that next year maybe you won't go at all, that might make you feel better.

flatmouse · 03/04/2007 13:12

Having re-read OP, i would say if she's had the V bad virus in last 2 weeks including 3 days hospitalisation - i think visit to docs is not out of order here.

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:13

Thanks.

I meant 'wasting' BTW!

OP posts:

flatmouse · 03/04/2007 13:13

DD's croup lasted about 5 days (was getting alot better by day 5) day 2,3 she wasn't right during day either.

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:16

She had a vapouriser thingy in her room for 2nd part of night ( ds had it for first )and that helped a bit.

I was hoping we might have had the worst night already as I read the first night is the worst.

Thanks DG, your so sweet. I do feel silly about the amount of time we spend at the docs. I feel sad too, as though I'm doing things wrong for them to be ill so much.

OP posts:

DumbledoresGirl · 03/04/2007 13:20

How old are they princessmel? If only one of them is old enough to be mixing with others eg at playgroup or school, then it is perfectly normal for them both to be getting lots of illnesses at the moment. And anyway, one visit wasn't for an illness at all, was it, if you went with a broken wrist.

Honestly, you are not alone. I have been there in the past, but now, this winter, I have only taken one of my children to the doctor once when the youngest had a chest infection.

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:26

Ds is 4 and dd is 19months. Ds is at nursery. dd had a lot of ear infections between dec and feb and had a lot of AB. I think she's been quite low and thats why she got this virus so badly.

I really do go to the doctors most weeks.

OP posts:

Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 13:27

Sorry to hi-jack, but could someone tell me what croup is and how you can tell the difference between a cough and croup? Ds has had a chesty night-time cough for a week or so now and am wondering whether it might be croup...

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:28

Croup sounds like a dog or seal bark. Very loud and painfull sounding.

OP posts:

DumbledoresGirl · 03/04/2007 13:37

Ah well, there you have it. Your 4 yo is picking up everything that is going at nursery and passing them on to poor little dd whose resistance is less developed than ds's. Honestly, by the time they both start school they will be the fittest children in their classes, you see if I am not right.

The croup bark is rather surreal - just like a seal barking IME - and very loud.

Mumpbump · 03/04/2007 13:38

Sounds like what ds has got. Is it more serious than a usual cough/cold?

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:40

I think it can be, but not normally. Not 100%. I googled it and quite a lot came up.

The first few nights are meant to be the worse. AFAIK they are usually better in the daytime.

OP posts:

sugarplumfairy · 03/04/2007 13:41

All 3 of my DCs have had croup and sometimes the 10 year old still gets it even though they are supposed to grow out of it.
We did have my DD1 hospitalised with it for 2 nights when she was about 2.5 as we took her to A&E as she seemed to be struggling for breath.
The nurse looked at her chest and it was going in rather alarmingly deep as she tried to get enough air in. So that's something to look for in a severe case.
Try to keep them calm as it's worse when they get upset and do the steam in the room or go outside as mentioned already.
It's always really scary at night, and I have permanent condensation marks on my bathroom walls!!

hoorayitseasterhols · 03/04/2007 13:44

trouble with croup is it sounds fine during daytime, often second night not so bad (maybe you just get used to it) so doctor can't always do much about it. If really severe ie in hospital they use a steroid spray but steam is fantastic so put kettle on asap (you can then use for a pot of tea once croup subsides)

DS3 was affected every winter first time when he was seven months and we were on holiday which was quite scary fortunately granny was with us and at first I wondered what she was playing at by filling the kettle but it worked

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:47

So should we go to the docs?

Not looking forward to tonight.

OP posts:

sugarplumfairy · 03/04/2007 13:57

How is she at the moment? When mine have had it bad the breathing can be noisy during the day.
As it is caused by a virus it may be having just had a bad virus she is now struggling to fight this new one.
I tend to give regular doses of calpol and at the first signs of coughing sit in the bathroom with plenty of blankets and run the bath, saves having to keep boiling the kettle.
Have also used a vaporiser as well as I would try anything that may help in the middle of the night.

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 13:59

Ok, but hoarse and croaky sounding. No temp. I just don't want her to be as ill again as she was the other week. I've rung docs and a doc is going to call me back. Thanks x

OP posts:

sugarplumfairy · 03/04/2007 14:03

It's probably best to get some professional advice just to put your mind at rest.
Take care.x

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 14:59

The doctor rang me back. He said the steam treatment is best. I thought he would. And calpol for any temp.

He said if we have another bad night than he wants to see her tommorow.

Mel x

OP posts:

DumbledoresGirl · 03/04/2007 15:01

Hope tonight goes OK for you princessmel. At least now you have rung up and you know what they would have said to you if you had gone in.

Original poster

princessmelTingChoccyEggs · 03/04/2007 15:02

Yes, I feel better now dg. I'm such a fussy pants worrier!

OP posts:

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